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August 30, 2014

Gaza War Grade: Incomplete

The IDF prevented
a disaster by demolishing the tunnels through which Hamas had planned surprise terror
for Rosh Hashanah. The rockets, guns, IDF uniforms, handcuffs, drugs, and even motorcycles
stored in the tunnels were to be used in massive attacks and kidnappings at
kibbutzim and homes closest to the Gaza border.

Dozens of other
tunnels and huge stockpiles of weapons were destroyed. The IDF killed many
terrorists and a number of Hamas terrorist leaders. According to a poll
conducted by Geocartography Institute, 61% of Israelis feel that the IDF won.

But interestingly,
the question was framed in this way: “Do you agree with the statement that the IDF
won while Israel lost?” That a majority agreed with this statement may be
explained by another question in the same poll:

Respondents expressed frustration with the ceasefire that ended the
operation with Hamas still in power in the Gaza Strip. Fifty-eight percent said
the IDF should have been allowed to continue the operation in order to degrade
the terrorist organization’s military abilities and called the truce a mistake
that wastes the achievements of the Israeli armed forces.

Meanwhile, as in
previous wars, Hamas has declared itself victorious.An excellent Gatestone Institute article
explains what’s wrong with that assessment and even Mahmoud Abbas blames Hamas
for the deaths and destruction in Gaza that he now says “could have been avoided.”

The photo above
(why is there no dust on that white robe?) represents winning to Ismail Haniyeh,
the Hamas leader who has not appeared in Gaza during the war until now and is pictured
here, smiling, raising his hand in a V for victory sign amid the rubble of his
own house.